Returning Ipswich Tru7 Group Witches star Richard Lawson admits he loves a track that “makes you think” as he returns to Foxhall as a home rider for the first time since 2019.
Lawson starred for the club seven seasons ago and makes his comeback when the Witches host his 2025 club King’s Lynn in the Premiership Knockout Cup on Thursday.
The Cumbrian is in the form of his career, having won three Cab Direct Championship league and cup doubles with Poole over the past four seasons, including a treble in 2024.
Lawson suffered a dramatic crash with Plymouth racer Tobias Thomsen in Poole’s opening BSN Series fixture at Wimborne Road, which left him battered and bruised. But it didn’t slow him down as he scored 10 paid 11 in Dorset, followed by 12 paid 13 on Saturday night at the return in Devon.
He’s keen to add to this success in the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership this year and believes the Ipswich track will provide the ideal stage. While the tight and technical surface tests some riders, the 40-year-old is confident he will thrive at Foxhall.
He said: “The general shape of it is good. I like that you have to really turn the bike quite hard. You have to use a lot of throttle control. It’s not just one of those tracks where you can just hang on and go flat out. You have to really think about it.
“Some fans might notice a bump here and there, which a lot of riders – especially the modern riders – don’t like. Me being a bit of a veteran these days, I do like that. It makes you think about things.
“I like the general vibe of the whole club. When I turn up there, it has a good feeling about the place. If you enjoy your environment, good things happen.”
Lawson admits he didn’t have to think too hard about joining the Witches when new co-promoters Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm approached him.
He said: “They have some great ideas, and I think Ipswich is in a good place. It’s good to be part of that.
“The new owners got in touch pretty much straight away when things were gathering momentum. Straight away, I said I was very interested – let’s get the deal done. Within no time, we thrashed it out over a cup of coffee.
“I am excited for the club in general. The new promotion is stepping things up in a really positive way. The fans will see some really good things come of it.”
Having won three Championship titles in four seasons at Poole, Lawson knows all about defending a league crown. He added: “I always say that it’s harder to defend a title. You have a bit of a target on your back.
“At every match you go to, you get introduced as the defending champions, and everyone wants to lower your colours. But I think we have a lot of experience and talent in this side, and I think we can do it again.”
Be part of the club’s opening night – 2026 season tickets are still available HERE, while King’s Lynn advance tickets can be purchased HERE.